ABOUT US
Core Values
We unite in our desire to serve and to expand our audience through innovative programming, broader venues, and increased educational opportunities while balancing artistic growth with financial soundness.
We share a heritage of passion for music.
We embrace our commitment to be a vigorous part of the cultural fabric of our community and to strive to reach regional and national audiences.
Mission
To inspire people through music and invigorate the concert experience.
Vision
Rooted in classical music, Northwest Sinfonietta seeks to serve diverse audiences, to strengthen its community connections through education and collaboration, and to broaden its influence in the artistic and cultural fabric of the region.
HISTORY
Founded in 1991 by harpsichordist Kathryn Habedank and conductor Christophe Chagnard, Northwest Sinfonietta is the premiere, professional chamber orchestra in the Puget Sound area. As an ensemble of 34 musicians, the Sinfonietta (meaning 'little symphony' in Italian) is smaller than a symphony orchestra and flexible in size, able to fit in any size 'chamber.' We draw from over 400 years of art music, and program a wide array of works with a focus on our role in our community and featuring new works and artists from marginalized parts of the music world.
The Sinfonietta was honored to be the third American orchestra to tour and perform in Cuba since the 1959 revolution. In 2012 and 2013 the orchestra performed throughout the island nation, including a concert in Cienfuegos (Tacoma’s sister city). In 2015 the Sinfonietta became one of the few orchestras in the world to move to an Artistic Partner model of operations. This allows our musicians to take a larger role in the vision and programming of the season, working closely with multiple talented conductors and performers. In 2017 the orchestra also added a series of unconducted performances led by members of the orchestra in new spaces throughout our region. Northwest Sinfonietta currently works with three phenomenal conductors as Artistic Partners, Mei-Ann Chen, Yaniv Attar and Jeffery Meyer. Other past Artistic Partners include Eric Jacobsen, Joseph Swensen and David Lockington, who served as Principal Artistic Partner for seven years.
Beyond the concert stage, NWS provides a variety of education and community engagement opportunities throughout Pierce County. NWS's robust education programs serve youth of all ages, from pre-school through college with Musical Storytelling and low-sensory programs for young children, classroom coaching, open rehearsal field trips, side-by-side playing opportunities and a Youth Concerto Competition for middle- and high-school students, and masterclasses, side-by-side playing and open rehearsals for college music students.
Northwest Sinfonietta performs several concerts each season in collaboration with local arts and culture organizations at a variety of venues, expanding the reach and impact of our programs in the community.
black lives matter statement
Northwest Sinfonietta is not staying silent.
Black Lives Matter.
The lives of Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and Tacoma’s Manuel Ellis mattered, as well as the countless lives of others taken from us by systemic racism, bigotry and violence. We will not look away from our country’s history of racism, white supremacy and oppression. We at Northwest Sinfonietta are committed to being accountable and transparent in our support of the Black community.
The classical music world has long been steeped in white privilege. Lack of diversity in musicians on stage and among featured composers, and inequitable opportunities in arts education and outreach lead to barriers for many. Northwest Sinfonietta will be proactive in helping to resolve these inequities in the South Sound.
The Sinfonietta’s Board is committed to change, and is assembling a task force to listen, and learn how we can better engage all members of our community in music making. We believe deeply in the power of music to be relevant, to change lives and to unite communities. We will continue to keep you up to date, and welcome community feedback as we move forward on this journey together.
—Karin Choo, Executive Director & Northwest Sinfonietta Executive Board
Passionate Performers
members of the orchestra
Artistic Partners
Mei-Ann chen
artistic partner
Maestra Chen joins the Sinfonietta as Artistic Partner in the 2022-23 season after a spectacular guest conductor appearance in May 2021 conducting a program of Reena Esmail’s Teen Murti, Mozart’s Prague Symphony and Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto Pastoral.
Mei-Ann Chen has been praised for her passionate and dynamic conducting style. She is highly regarded as a compelling communicator and innovative leader on and off the podium and is a sought-after conductor nationally and abroad who continues to expand her relationships with orchestras worldwide (over 120 orchestras to date).
yaniV Attar
artistic partner
Maestro Attar joined the orchestra as a guest conductor in November 2017, in a program featuring Beethoven's Eroica symphony and a contemporary concerto for Cello and Narrator by Sharon Farber, telling the story of Holocaust survivor-turned-war hero Curt Lowens. He was named as the newest Artistic Partner in 2018
A native of Israel, Yaniv Attar is the 1st prize winner of the Duna Szimfonikus Conducting Competition Budapest, two-time recipient of the Georg Solti Foundation US Award, and the 2009 Bruno Walter…
Jeffery Meyer
artistic partner
Maestro Meyer joins Northwest Sinfonietta as Artistic Partner in the 2022-23 season after leading an impactful program of Beethoven, Anna Clyne’s Sound and Fury and Jessie Montgomery’s Source Code as guest conductor in January 2021.
Jeffery Meyer is a sought-after conductor, pianist and educator who has worked extensively throughout Europe, Asia and North America, and is known for his passion for championing contemporary orchestral music and groundbreaking collaborations. He is professor of music in orchestral conducting at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and…
The Orchestra
Denise
Dillenbeck
Concertmaster
Denise Dillenbeck is the concertmaster of Northwest Sinfonietta, and has played with us for over 10 years. She is also concertmaster of the Yakima Symphony, York Symphony in Pennsylvania, Lake Chelan Bach Festival Orchestra, and the Siletz Bay Music Festival Orchestra.
Karen
Sorenson
Violin
Karen Sorenson has been a violinist with the Northwest Sinfonietta since the very first All-Mozart concert in 1990, and has since enjoyed countless musical adventures with her amazing NWS colleagues. “It is exciting to be part of a true classical chamber orchestra with such a high caliber of artistry and strong musical identity.”
mary manning
Violin
Mary Manning joined Northwest Sinfonietta in 1995, and performed for over 20 years as Principal Second Violin. She enjoys freelancing in the opera, choral, orchestral, and baroque fields as well as tutoring her crop of private students at her home in Gig Harbor.
mara finkelstein
principal Cello
Mara Finkelstein has been Principal Cellist of Sinfonietta for 30 years. She is an avid teacher and performer in the area, and loves Sinfonietta because with its small size, every musician counts and makes a difference.
darrin thaves
principal flute
Darrin won the Principal Flute position with NWS at the age of twenty-four. “I travel from California to play with the most outstanding musicians in the Pacific Northwest. Always an absolute pleasure!”
noelle burns
oboe
Noelle has held the position of 2nd Oboe/English Horn for over 10 years with Northwest Sinfonietta. She is also a member of Symphony Tacoma and the Tacoma Opera Orchestra. Noelle teaches at the University of Puget Sound as co-instructor for the Woodwind Techniques Course and as the oboe lessons instructor for the Community Music Program.
sandon lohr
2nd horn
Sandon Lohr joined Northwest Sinfonietta in 2023. He is also a member of the Yakima Symphony, Boise Philharmonic and Symphony Tacoma, and plays with many groups in the area.
Dawn Posey
associate concertmaster
Dawn recently moved to the Pacific Northwest after living in Pittsburgh, where she held principal positions with the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater orchestras. She also co-founded Kassia Ensemble, an all female chamber ensemble. Dawn is excited to join the Northwest Sinfonietta Orchestra, and is also serving as Concertmaster of the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra.
Karin
Choo
Violin
Karin Choo became a member of Northwest Sinfonietta’s violin section in 2012. She is also now Executive Director of this fabulous organization! Karin is also Co-Concertmaster of Olympia Symphony, a member of Symphony Tacoma, and Concertmaster of Vashon Opera.
caitlyn fukai
principal ViolA
Caitlyn Fukai joined Northwest Sinfonietta as Principal Viola in the 2021-22 season. Caitlyn completed Performance Diploma and Masters Degree in viola performance from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. She has two Shiba Inu monsters (Nugget and Simba) and in her spare time is marathon training and river raft guiding. Her favorite thing to do is play string quartets on Grand Canyon rafting trips.
holly reeves
Cello
Holly joined the cello section of Northwest Sinfonietta in the fall of 1998. She is also the Principal Cellist of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and has a large private teaching studio in Olympia.
evan pengra sult
flute
Evan joins NWS in the 23-24 season as our new Second Flute. Evan has been principal flutist of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra since 2019, and performs with a panoply of Pacific Northwest ensembles including the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera.
Aric macdavid
principal bassoon
Aric MacDavid is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and composer who is thrilled to be playing his first season with the Northwest Sinfonietta this year. He has played with local PNW ensembles such as the Bainbridge and Bremerton Symphonies as well as the Great Bend Center for Music. Aric graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2020 with a degree in Bassoon Performance, studying under the wonderful Francine Peterson.
judson scott
principal trumpet
Judson Scott is Northwest Sinfonietta’s Principal Trumpet. He is at home in a wide variety of styles ranging from playing lead in West Side Story to performing Bach’s Magnificat on a valveless natural trumpet, and he performs with numerous ensembles in the area.
quinn price
principal 2nd violin
Quinn recently returned to the Pacific Northwest after studying violin performance at Cleveland Institute of Music and University of Texas. He joined Northwest Sinfonietta in 2021 as our new Principal Second Violin.
Brandon
Vance
Violin
Brandon Vance has been playing violin with Northwest Sinfonietta for over 10 years. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, and is has garnered national and international awards in Scottish fiddling. He currently pursues a busy career as a performer, violin instructor, composer, and recording artist.
padua canty
ViolA
Padua Canty recently returned to her northwest roots and promptly joined Northwest Sinfonietta in 2018. When not performing with NWS and various other regional orchestras, Padua spends the majority of her time teaching violin and viola to students of all ages beginning as young as 2 years old.
gretchen yanover
cello
Gretchen Yanover is a locally-grown Seattle cellist who enjoys playing both acoustic and electric cello. She has been a member of Northwest Sinfonietta since 1998, and has 3 solo albums.
kevin morton
principal clarinet
Kevin Morton began playing the NWS in 2001 after moving to Washington from California in that same year. In addition to playing and teaching clarinet, Kevin has a full time corporate job at the Issaquah home office of Costo Wholesale and is a self-taught chocolatier.
John ruze
bassoon
John Ruze joined Sinfonietta as second bassoonist in 2001. Best thing about Sinfonietta for John? “I met my partner in Sinfonietta, fellow wind player and flutist Jeannie Hill, at the center of the Pantages stage during an all Mozart week with Richard Stolzman.’
Robert Gale
trumpet
Robert Gale joined Sinfonietta as Second Trumpet in 2003. He began playing when his father brought home a cornet to try. “I thought the cornet was defective because I couldn’t make a sound at first, but he said he’d already paid for it, so I was going to learn it!”
Gwendolyn
Taylor
Violin
Gwen has been a member of Northwest Sinfonietta since 2000. When not performing or teaching Gwen and her husband are off exploring the Pacific Northwest in their scamp trailer.
Emily Herdeman
Kelly
Violin
Emily joined Northwest Sinfonietta in 2018, and enjoys a rewarding career as a violinist, educator, and arts advocate. She studied at Indiana University and Rice University.
Steve
Creswell
ViolA
Steve has played over 30 years in chamber orchestras from Philadelphia and Toronto to Portland, and Vancouver, BC. In addition to NWS and local free-lance activities, he is currently involved with Seattle new music group SCRAPE, and he has been performing early music for the past two seasons with Opera Lafayette of Washington, DC.
todd larsen
principal BASS
Todd Larsen joined Sinfonietta shortly after it’s formation, in 1992. Since then he—and we quote—“played in all the groups, did all the stuff, and people still can't get rid of him."
Angelique poteat
clarinet
Angelique Poteat joins Northwest Sinfonietta in the 2022-23 season as our new Second Clarinet. In addition to playing with the Northwest Sinfonietta, she is principal clarinetist with the Yakima Symphony and the Saratoga Orchestra, and performs with the Seattle Modern Orchestra and the Sunriver Music Festival. She is also an award-winning composer and is the 2022-23 Seattle Symphony Artist-in-Residence.
Matt
Drumm
Timpani / Percussion
Matt Drumm has been Timpanist and Principal Percussion for Northwest Sinfonietta since 2010, and plays regularly with Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacifica Northwest Ballet, and Symphony Tacoma.
Evelyn
Gottlieb
Violin
Evelyn Gottlieb has been a violinist for Northwest Sinfonietta since 2004. She was Assistant Concertmaster of Symphony Tacoma for many years, and also plays in Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, Auburn Symphony, PNB Orchestra, and Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra.
Janis
Upshall
Violin
Janis is a violinist and teacher living in North Tacoma. She is Concertmaster of Tacoma Opera, Principal 2nd Violin in Symphony Tacoma, and has played with the Sinfonietta for over twenty years.
jessica jasper
viola
Jessica Jasper joined the viola section of Northwest Sinfonietta in 2013, a year after joining the viola section of the Spokane Symphony. Most recently, she joined the Yakima Symphony orchestra as Assistant Principal Viola. She finally moved to Spokane in 2019 after commuting there for years, and is very excited to have a more permanent home base.
anna doak
bass
Anna Doak has been a member of the Northwest Sinfonietta since 1999. She has performed with the Seattle Symphony, The National Academy Orchestra of Canada, the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, on numerous recording projects, and is also active in the Seattle jazz scene. When not playing music Anna enjoys gardening, reading poetry, doing Tai Chi and hiking with her dog Mischief.
shannon spicciati
principal oboe
Shannon has enjoyed performing with NW Sinfonietta since the fall of 1994, and also currently serves as the Operations Manager. Shannon performs with Auburn Symphony, and as an extra with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and PNB.
Danielle Lemieux
Principal horn
Danielle Lemieux won the Principal Horn position in 2023. She is also a member of Pacific Northwest Ballet and teaches and performs all over the Puget Sound Region.
David Lockingon
Founding artistic partner and principal artistic Partner
2015-2018, 2018-2022
Staff and Board
board
Natalie Mayer | President
Amy Johnson | 1st Vice President, Puyallup Representative
Todd Giltner | 2nd Vice President
Gary Condra | Treasurer
Heather Shadko | Secretary
Bill Hagens | Mary Kohli | Merilyn Jacobson | Bruce Mann
Denise Dillenbeck | Orchestra Representative
EMERITUS BOARD
Justin Morrill | James Sorensen | Mary Thomas | Patricia Wooster | James Wooster
Puyallup Advisory Committee
Magda Cockerline | Mary Kohli | Phil Yates | Amy Johnson | Todd Giltner
STAFF
Karin Choo | Executive Director
Amy Marlow | Accountant
Shannon Spicciati | Operations Manager
Francine Peterson | Personnel Manager
Mando Surita | Social Media Manager
POSITION OPENING - apply now | Stage Manager
Auditions
second flute auditions
Northwest Sinfonietta announces auditions for Second Flute, to be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 in Puyallup, WA. Position begins in the 2024-25. All rounds including final are screened. To be considered for live audition, please submit a resume by February 9, 2024.